Staff Software Engineer, Core VCS & AI Tools

Google; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 207,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

Google is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Source Client in San Jose, CA. You will own critical outcomes across core version control components, collaborating with product teams to deliver end-to-end workflows that improve developer productivity and scale.

The role emphasizes leadership, architecture design, and integration of AI-enabled tooling within large-scale systems. Ideal candidates have deep experience in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Go, with a track record in testing, launching

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 8 years of experience programming in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Go.
• 5 years of experience testing and launching software products.
• 3 years of experience with software design and architecture.
• Experience integrating generative AI tools or LLM interfaces into workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core components for next-generation version control systems, including the open-source jj (Jujutsu) project, focusing on performance and scalability.
• Partner with cross-functional product teams—such as those building code review platforms, code search, and AI-enabled developer tools—to deliver integrated workflows that unlock new frontiers in engineering productivity.
• Facilitate alignment and clarity across teams on goals, outcomes, and timelines.
• Influence and coach a distributed team of engineers.
• Grow and sustain healthy open-source communities around source control tools like jj and Git, and collaborate with the broader industry.

Skills

C++

Java

Python

Kotlin

Go

Software testing

Software architecture

AI tool integration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Git

jj (Jujutsu)

Code review tools

Job description

Google is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Source Client in San Jose, CA. You will own critical outcomes across core version control components, collaborating with product teams to deliver end-to-end workflows that improve developer productivity and scale.

The role emphasizes leadership, architecture design, and integration of AI-enabled tooling within large-scale systems. Ideal candidates have deep experience in C++, Java, Python, Kotlin or Go, with a track record in testing, launching